Post binder and compression mechanism therefor



Aug. 2, 1966 R. F. LINDGREN ETAL 3,263,689

POST BINDER AND COMPRESSION MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed May 25, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l 55a; 3a Zia. 5

; INVENTIORS.

ROBERT F. L/NOGREN BY FRANK J. MALC/K EDWARD W WH/ TTE MORE A TTOR/VEY POST BINDER AND COMPRESSION MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed May 25. 1964 Aug. 2, 1966 R. F. LINDGREN ETAL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTQRS ROBERT/1 L/IVDGRE/V FRANK J. MALC/K EDWARD W WH/T 8.104795 TEMO/PE AITORNEK United States Patent 3,263,689 POST BINDER AND COMPRESSION MECHANISM THEREFOR Robert F. Lindgren, Aurora, Frank J. Malcik, Chicago,

and Edward W. Whittemore, Elmhurst, Ill., assignors to United States Tabulating Binder Corp., Chicago, 11].,

a corporation of Illinois Filed May 25, 1964, Ser. No. 369,875 1 Claim. (Cl. 129-25) This invention relates to a post binder and to a compression mechanism therefor. The structure of this invention is simple and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. The compressor members of the compression mechanism are simply and easily removable from the remainder of the structure for simple replacement if required. Also the structure is adapted to produce, with extreme case, either a single mechanism binder which is loaded from one side, or a double mechanism binder which can be loaded from both sides.

The above sets forth a brief description of the instant invention and some of the objects and advantages thereof; various other advantages and objects will become apparent as the description proceeds.

The invention will be further described by reference to the accompanying drawings which are made a part of this specification.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top perspective view of one form of a binder made in accordance with this invention with the top cover in partially open position. In this form of the invention a headed post is used and only the top compression mechanism is operative.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the binder shown in FIG. 1 taken along lines 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 2 but showing the construction employed when both compression mechanisms upon opposite covers are employed so that the binder can be loaded from either side.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the form of invention shown in FIG. 2 taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the form of invention shown in FIG. 3 taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of a compressor and associated structure showing the manner in which the compressor can be removed from the rails of the channel member or secured thereto when the indented portion is in juxtaposition with the compressor.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the mechanism shown in FIG. 1 taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 1. In this figure the compressor is in its normal operating position.

The invention will be now further described by reference to the specific forms thereof set forth in the accompanying drawings which represent the best modes known to the inventors of taking advantage of the same. In this connection, however, the reader is cautioned to note that the specific forms of this invention described in the accompanying specification are for illustrative purposes and for purposes of example only. Various changes and modifications can obviously be made within the spirit and scope of this invention and would occur to those skilled in this art.

The post binder 11 of this invention is formed with a pair of covers 12 and 13. Cover 12 is formed with a base portion 14 and a pivotally connected openable leaf portion 15. Cover 13 is formed with a base portion 16 and a pivotally connected openable leaf portion 17. Base portion 14 is provided with a pair of spaced openings 18 and 19.

A first compression mechanism 20' is secured to base portion 14 of cover 12 by means of rivets 21. Compression mechanism 20 comprises a channel member 30 which alignment with one another.

is provided with a pair of spaced openings 22 and 23 therewithin which are also in alignment with openings 18 and 19 respectively. Optionally additional plurality of openings 24 may be provided which can be aligned with similar openings to form additional aligned units.

Channel member 30 also carries a plurality of spaced rails 29 and 31 which are disposed on opposite sides of member 30. Rails 29 and 31 are obtusely angularly projecting from channel member 30 and are formed with outwardly projecting opposite end portions 32. Rail 31 is formed with an inwardly indented portion 33.

A pair of normally spaced compressors 34 are slidably movable along rails 29-31. Each of the compressors 34 is formed with a pair of transversely spaced acute angularly disposed side portions 35 and 36 which are normally retained respectively upon rails 31 and 29.

Base portion 16 of cover 13 is provided with a pair of spaced openings 18a and 19a. A second compression mechanism 20a is secured to base portion 16 by means of rivets 21a. Compression mechanism 20!: comprises a channel member 30a which is provided with a pair of spaced openings 22a and 23a therewithin which are also in alignment with openings 18a and 19a. Thus, in this invention, openings 22-18-18a-22a are in alignment with one another and openings 23-19-19a-23a are also in Optionally additional aligned units consisting of aligned openings 24 may alsobe provided.

Channel member 30a also carries a plurality of spaced rails 29a and 31a which are disposed on opposite sides of member 300. Rails 29a and 31a are obtusely angularly projecting from channel member 30:: and are formed with outwardly projecting opposite end portions 32a. Rail 31a is formed with an inwardly indented portion 33a.

A pair of normally spaced compressors 34a are slidably movable along rails 29a-31a. Each of compressors 34a is formed with a pair of transversely spaced acute angularly disposed side portions 35m and 36:: which are normally retained respectively upon rails 31a and 29a.

In the modification shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 a plurality of posts 25 are disposed within each of aligned openings 2248-1811-2241 and 23-19-19a-23a respectively. Each of posts 25, in this modification, are formed with an upper portion 28, a threaded shank portion 27 and a cap portion 26. Shank portion 27 of each of posts 25 is disposed within openings 18a-22a and 19a-23a respectively while cap portion 26 overlies opening 22a. Each of compressors 34 are normally adapted to hold portion 28 of a post 25 in bent-over relationship.

In the form of invention shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 a post 25a is formed with a plurality of projecting end portions 28a. Each of posts 25a is disposed respectively within openings 22-18-18a-22a and 23-19-19a-23a. Each of compressors 34 is adapted to hold one of portions 28a of a post 25a in bent-over relationship while each of compressors 34a is adapted to hold the opposite portion 28a of each of posts 25a in bent-over relationship.

The operation of this invention will now be explained. In the form of invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 a plurality of sheets 38 are provided with a plurality of aligned openings 39 and 40 therewithin. Openings 39 are in alignment with openings 22-18-18a-22a and openings 40 are in alignment with openings 23-19-19a-23a. Sheets 38 are placed between base portions 14 and 16 of covers 12 and 13 and a post 25 passed through openings 22a, 18a, 39, 18 and 22. An additional post 25 is passed through openings 23a, 19a, 40, 19 and 23 so that portion 28 of posts 25 projects therethrough. A pair of compressors 34 are then selected. Each of compressors 34 are hooked over rail 29 and thence placed in juxtaposition with indented portion 33 of rail 31 as shown in FIG. 6. Com- Patented August 2, 1966 7 3 V pressor 34 is then hooked over rail 31 and slid therealong so as to retain portion 28 of post 25 in bent-over relationship as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. At the same time the lower portion of post 25 is retained in position by shank portion 27 being disposed within openings 18-22:: and 19a-23a respectively while cap portion 26 overlies opening 22a.

When additional sheets are to be placed within the binder compressors 34 are slidably moved along rails 29-31 in the direction shown by the arrows in FIG. 1. This causes post 25 to be free of compressors 34 and cover 12 may be lifted here. Additional sheets may then be disposed upon sheets 38 presently in the binder and the process set forth hereinabove repeated.

In the modification shown in FIGS. 3 and the binder of this invention may be loaded from both sides. In this modification each of posts 2511 are passed through openings 22a18a39a-1822 and 23a-19a-40a-19-23 respectively so that each end portion 28a of each post 25a projects outwardly therefrom. Compressors 34 are placed upon rails 29 and 31 as previously discussed and are then slidably moved therealong to retain the upper portion 28a of each of posts 25a in bent-over relationship. After this is'done the binder 11 is turned over and each of compressors 34a inserted upon rails 29a and 31a in a similar manner to the manner in which compressors 34 were inserted on rails 29 and 31. Compressors 34a then retain the bottom portions 28a of each of posts 25a in bent-over relationship. It is thus obvious that, in the modification set forth in FIGS. 3 and 5, the post binder may be loaded from either side since either the u per portions 28a of each of posts 25a may be cleared from compressors 34 or each of the lower portions 28a of each of posts 25a may be cleared from compressors 34a.

Furthermore the construction of this invention has a further advantage in that the same associated structure can be used in connection with post 25 or post 25a. If the structure is utilized in connection with post 25 then the compressors 34a can be removed from compression mechanism 20a and the binder loaded merely from one side. On the other hand if posts a are substituted then the compressors 34a are inserted into compression mecha nism 20a and the binder may be loaded from both sides.

The foregoing specific description sets forth the manner in which the objects of this invention are achieved.

We claim:

A compression mechanism for post binder-s comprising a longitudinal channel member having a substantially fiat base provided with a pair of spaced openings therewithin each accommodating a flexible post member, a pair of laterally spaced outwardly extending obtusely angularly disposed upstanding rails disposed along said base, each of said rails having outwardly projecting end portions; an inwardly extending laterally disposed indented portion centrally located intermediate said end portions upon one of said rails, said indented portion being substantially perpendicular to said base; a pair of normally spaced compressors slidably movable along said rails each having transversely spaced acute angularly disposed side portions overlying said rails and normally retained thereupon, each of said compressors being no greater in length than said indented portion and being removable from said rails when said indented portion and a side portion of the respective compressor are in juxtaposition.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 873,282 12/1907 Wolf 12925 1,434,579 11/1922 Alexander 12925 1,962,727 6/1934 Snyder 24153 2,012,572 8/1935 Linsky 12925 X 2,212,896 8/1940 Brennan 12925 X 2,615,222 10/ 1952 Cayabyab 24153 3,121,432 2/1964 Schade 129-25 JEROME SCHNALL, Primary Examiner. 

